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top 3 features of notepad++ jsTool plugin
every developer should know
Notepad++ is a versatile text editor that offers a wide range of plugins, including an all-round JSTools plugin to perform viewing, editing, and sorting the JSON data, among other text processing features.
Table of contents
detailed features of the jsTool
Notepad++ JsTool plugin has following features.
- Minify the Javascript file
- JSON data viewer
- Sort a JSON file
how to Minify the Javascript file
You can minify a javascript file by removing unnecessary whitespaces, and comments, shortening variable names, and making the code more compact and efficient. The minification exercise uses Douglas Crockford’s famous JSMin algorithm.
- Open Your JavaScript File: Open the JavaScript file you want to minify in Notepad++ by navigating to File > Open and selecting your filename.
- Access JSMin Functionality: With your JavaScript file open, go to Plugins > JSTool > JSMin.
- Minify Your JavaScript: Once you select JSMin, the plugin will automatically minify the JavaScript code in your file.
- Save the Minified File: After the JSMin process is complete, save the minified file by going to “File > Save or File > Save As“, if you want to keep the original file intact.
additional tips
- Backup Your Original File: Before minifying, it’s a good practice to save a copy of your original JavaScript file in case you need to refer back to it or if the minification process doesn’t go as planned.
- Single step to minify and save to a new file: JsTool has made this easier by providing a separate functionality JSMin (New File). If you click on JSMin (New File) instead of JSMin, the JavaScript file will be minified and saved to a separate file in a single step. You need to give the name to the file and decide on the location where you want to save it.
- Review Minified Code: Although the code will be minified and harder to read, you might want to quickly review the output to ensure no critical parts were affected.
how to view JSON data
You can use the JsTool plugin to view the JSON data in a structured manner and validate it. Another advantage of this plugin is, that you can format and view JSON files greater than 10MB sizes easily on Notepad++. You don’t need to go to a separate application for that. Here is how you can view the JSON data in Notepad++.
- Open Your JSON File: Open the JSON file you want to view by navigating to File > Open and selecting your file.
- Format JSON Data: With your JSON file open, go to Plugins > JSTool > JSFormat. This will format the JSON data and display it in a structured, readable format.
- View JSON Data in a Tree Structure: To view the JSON data in a hierarchical tree structure, go to Plugins > JSTool > JSON Viewer. This will open a new panel on the left side, displaying the JSON data as a tree, allowing you to expand and collapse nodes to explore the data structure.
additional tips
- Backup Your Original File: Before making any changes, it’s a good practice to save a copy of your original JSON file in case you need to revert to the original version.
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts: JsTool supports keyboard shortcuts for quick access to formatting (Ctrl + Alt + M) and viewing (Ctrl + Alt + J) features.
- Validate and Edit the JSON file: If you want to validate the JSON format, edit, and many more advanced features, use another Notepad++ plugin “JSON Tools”. If you need details on the “JSON Tools” plugin, please leave your comment below.
how to sort JSON data
You can use the JsTool plugin to sort the JSON data based on the keys in ascending order. Here is how you can sort the JSON data in Notepad++.
- Open Your JSON File: Open the JSON file you want to view by navigating to File > Open and selecting your file.
- Access JSON sort functionality: With your JSON file open, go to Plugins > JSTool > JSON Sort.
- Sort Your JSON Data: Once you select JSON Sort, the plugin will automatically sort the JSON data. The sorting is typically done based on the keys in ascending order.
- Save the Sorted File: After the JSON data is sorted, save the file by going to File > Save or File > Save As if you want to keep the original file intact.
additional tips
- Backup Your Original File: Before sorting, it’s a good practice to save a copy of your original JSON file in case you need to refer back to it or if the sorting process doesn’t go as planned.
- Review Sorted Data: After sorting, quickly review the output to ensure the data is sorted as expected and that no critical parts are affected.
- Single step to sort and save to a new file: JsTool has made this easier by providing a separate functionality JSON Sort (New File). If you click on JSON Sort (New File) instead of JSON Sort, the JSON file will be sorted and saved to a separate file in a single step. You need to give the file name and decide on the location where you want to save the sorted file.
how to install JsTool Plugin in notepad++
Step 1: Open Notepad++
Ensure that you have Notepad++ installed on your system. If not, visit our page to download and install it. Alternatively, you can go to the official site to download it. Always download from a trusted source. Once installation is complete, launch the Notepad++ application.
Step 2: Select Notepad++ JsTool
Go to the menu bar at the top and click on Plugins >> Plugins Admin. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut key “Alt + P + P“, to go to Plugins Admin. A new pop-up window will appear that will show all the available plugins.
Type “JsTool” in the search, and the “JsTool” plugin will appear in the results. Select the plugin and click on Install at the right-hand corner of the pop-up window.
Tip: Notepad++ constantly updates the plugins to enhance or fix some bugs. The latest version will appear, which may differ from the one displayed in the picture. So, you need not worry about the difference in version number. Go ahead and install the latest version.
Step 3: Install the Plugin
Click the “Install” button on the right-hand corner of the pop-up window.
Once you click “Install”, a new pop-up confirming the installation will open up. Click “Yes”, and the Notepad++ application will be closed, and you will get a Windows notification asking for reconfirmation. Click “Yes”, and the Notepad++ JsTool Plugin installation will start.
Step 4: Check the Plugin
After the JsTool plugin is successfully installed, Notepad++ will automatically close and re-open. Go to “Plugins” from the menu bar or type Alt +P, and you will see the “JsTool” appear. If you hover your mouse over it, you will see all the options appear.
Bonus: How To Enable Dark Theme In Notepad++
If you want to enable dark mode in Notepad++ background for better aesthetics, then read our detailed guide on How to enable Notepad++ dark mode here.
Also, Read our other helpful blogs:
FAQs
What is JSTool?
JSTool is a plugin for Notepad++ that provides various tools for working with JSON data. It includes features for formatting, sorting, and minifying JSON.
How do I install JSTool in Notepad++?
- Open Notepad++.
- Go to
Plugins > Plugins Admin. - Search for
JSTool. - Check the box next to JSTool and click
Install. - Restart Notepad++ if prompted.
What are the main features of JSTool?
- Format JSON: Beautifies JSON data to make it more readable.
- Sort JSON: Sorts JSON keys alphabetically.
- Minify JSON: Compresses JSON data by removing unnecessary whitespace and comments.
How do I format JSON using JSTool?
- Open your JSON file in Notepad++.
- Go to
Plugins > JSTool > JSFormat. - The JSON data will be formatted for better readability.
How do I sort JSON keys using JSTool?
- Open your JSON file in Notepad++.
- Go to
Plugins > JSTool > JSON Sort. - The JSON keys will be sorted in alphabetical order.
Can I minify JSON with JSTool?
- Open your JSON file in Notepad++.
- Go to
Plugins > JSTool > JSMin. - The JSON data will be minified, reducing file size by removing unnecessary characters.
Does JSTool support converting JSON to other formats?
JSTool primarily focuses on JSON formatting, validation, sorting, and minification. For converting JSON to other formats like XML, you may need to use additional tools or plugins.
What should I do if JSTool is not working properly?
Most of the problems faced by users are resolved by following these methods.
- Ensure you have the latest version of Notepad++ and JSTool installed.
- Restart Notepad++ after installing the plugin.
- Check for any conflicts with other installed plugins.